What federal agencies handle potential RF health effects?

Certain agencies in the Federal Government have been involved in monitoring, researching or regulating issues related to human exposure to RF radiation.  These agencies include The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Department of Defense (DOD).

Are cell phones safe?

There is no proof that wireless phones are absolutely safe. Wireless phones emit low levels of radiofrequency energy (RF) in the microwave range while being used. They also emit very low levels of RF when in the stand-by mode. Whereas high levels of RF can produce health effects (by heating tissue), exposure to low level RF that does not produce heating effects causes no known adverse health effects. Many studies of low level RF exposures have not found any biological effects. Some studies have suggested that some biological effects may occur, but such findings have not been confirmed by additional research. In some cases, other researchers have had difficulty in reproducing those studies, or in determining the reasons for inconsistent results.  The FDA, which has primary jurisdiction for investigating mobile phone safety, has stated that it cannot rule out the possibility of risk.  According to a recent publication in “Environmental Health Perspectives” researchers have documented damage to nerve cells in the brains of rats they exposed to the type of radiation cell phone users get when calling their friends or family.  The damaging mechanism seems to be a weakening of the blood-brain barrier, a kind of filter which protects the brain from toxic or otherwise unwanted chemicals circulated with the blood.  As the brain is more sensitive than other body tissue, the barrier filters and bars entrance to what should not be in the brain.  Calling on your mobile may put that vital barrier out of commission, so any damaging substance present in the blood which is normally kept out can now imperil the brain’s functions. 

fcc.gov – Radio Frequency Safety

mewmediaexplorer.org – Bad News for Cell Phone Users

Does the FCC routinely monitor radiofrequency radiation?

The FCC does not have the resources or the personnel to routinely monitor the emissions for all of the thousands of transmitters that are subject to FCC jurisdiction.  However, the FCC does have measurement instrumentation for evaluating RF levels in areas that may be accessible to the public or to workers.  If there is evidence of potential non-compliance with FCC exposure guidelines for an FCC-regulated facility, staff from the FCC’s Office of Engineering and Technology or the Enforcement Bureau can conduct an investigation, and, if appropriate, perform actual measurements.  It should be emphasized that the FCC does not perform RF exposure investigations unless there is a reasonable expectation that the FCC exposure limits may be exceeded.

fcc.gov – Radio Frequency Safety